Body of Missing Missouri Mother of Four Identified After Six Months in Woods

In a tragic development, The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the identity of a missing Missouri mother of four, Emily Strite, whose body was discovered in a remote wooded area on Saturday. Six months had passed since her mysterious disappearance.

Strite, aged 33, was last seen on April 12, when she left a friend’s house on foot. Authorities believe she departed of her own accord, as indicated in a prior press release by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. She was reported missing eight days later by her mother, Charlyn McClain.

Timeline of Events Before the Disappearance

McClain recalled that the last time she spoke to her daughter was on the morning of April 12. Emily mentioned her intention to visit her three younger children, who live with their father, Steve Fults, over the Missouri border in Cahokia, Illinois.

“We only talked for about a minute and she said, ‘I’m going to go see my kids,’” McClain recounted in an interview with NBC. McClain assumed that since Emily regularly went to see her children, Fults would either pick her up or send someone for her.

Emily's Relationship with Steve Fults

Emily's sister, Jess Strite, revealed to Fox2Now in June that Emily had been "in and out of an abusive relationship for most of her adult life" with Fults. While Emily was not actively involved with him at the time of her disappearance, she was still in contact with him.

Alarming Phone Call

On April 19, a week after their last conversation, Charlyn McClain received an alarming phone call from Steve Fults, expressing concern about Emily's whereabouts. Fults claimed he hadn’t heard from her in a week, which raised alarm bells for McClain. “He has never called me and questioned anything about Emily,” she said in an interview.

This unexpected call from Fults, who had never before inquired about Emily, intensified McClain's worry.

Fults' Account of Emily's Whereabouts

In a subsequent communication with NBC, Fults stated that the last time he saw Emily was at the end of March or beginning of April and claimed ignorance about her plans to visit the children on April 12. He insisted he had no knowledge of her intentions, as she did not reach out to him.

Law Enforcement's Investigation

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to NBC that there are currently no suspects or persons of interest in Emily Strite’s death. Investigators indicated that there is nothing at this time to suggest foul play or that a crime was committed.

As the investigation continues, friends of Emily Strite have expressed their grief and frustration over the lack of answers regarding her untimely death. Amanda Bauman, a childhood friend, emphasized Emily's vibrant personality and the need for justice, stating, “She literally lit up a room every chance that she got. We pray now that we get answers and whoever hurt her is brought to justice.”